The fate of an engineer

Today they're leading a priest, a drunkard, and an engineer to the
guillotine. They ask the priest if he wants to face up or down when he
meets his fate. The priest says that he would like to face up so he will
be looking toward heaven when he dies. They raise the blade of the guillotine
and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops just inches from
his neck. The authorities take this as divine intervention and release the
priest.

Next the drunkard comes to the guillotine. He also decides to die face up,
hoping that he will be as fortunate as the priest. They raise the blade of
the guillotine and release it. It comes speeding down and suddenly stops
just inches from his neck. So they release the drunkard as well.

The engineer is next. He, too, decides to die facing up. They slowly raise
the blade of the guillotine. Suddenly the engineer says, "Hey, I see what
your problem is..."